A TRAVELLING thief who tried to break into a TK Maxx jewellery cabinet with a multi-tool he had stolen from elsewhere in the same store has been given a community order.

Paul Matthew Langham, 34, carried out his raid on the discount store's Monks Cross branch on Sunday March 31, Melanie Ibbotson, prosecuting, told York magistrates.

When he failed to get into the jewellery display and tried to leave with the multi-tool, a security guard stopped him leaving.

He pushed the employee to the floor, injuring his knee, said the prosecutor.

Released on bail, he failed to attend court and was arrested on warrant.

When he appeared before magistrates, he told duty solicitor Steven Munro and a probation officer he was in pain because he had two slipped discs in his back. He was also concerned about whether he could get to a hospital appointment that afternoon in Scunthorpe.

Langham, of Salisbury Close, Scunthorpe, pleaded guilty to theft, assault and failure to attend court.

Magistrates told him: "We have no doubt you deliberately came to York".

They gave him an 18-month community order with 20 days' rehabilitative activities and 150 hours' unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to the security guard, £5.99 compensation to TK Maxx, £85 prosecution costs and an £85 statutory surcharge.

Mr Munro said: "He tells me he was in a really bad place in March, homeless, addicted to cocaine and he had split from his partner."

He didn't attend the original court hearing because he "forgot the date".

Since then, Langham had got himself accommodation, was now free of drugs and working part-time as a labourer.

Ms Ibbotson said CCTV operators spotted Langham's failed attempt to get into the display cabinet.

The guard received first aid at the scene.